About the Artist

Kristal lives in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains in Sevierville, Tennessee with her husband Charles and their two boys. After marrying Charles in 2010, the home they rented as newlyweds didn’t have a space suitable for her to continue her stained glass work. It was stored safely at her mother’s home waiting for her to one day return to work.

The Lord always provides though! After her mother built herself a new home, Kristal and her husband were able to move into the house she grew up in and where her studio was located! Soon after, Kristal and Charles learned they were expecting their first child. About two years later came their second son.

She was able to begin working on her glass in the Spring of 2019 and has loved getting to do what she loves once again.

Here is a look back at how she got started with stained glass.

Her first experience with stained glass came when she was around 15 years old. Dollywood, a local amusement park was offering hands-on classes for homeschooled students that were instructed by on park master craftsmen. One of the classes being offered was Stained Glass and Kristal asked her parents to be signed up. During the class, students would be able to make a cement/glass mosaic door stop and would learn some overall principals of stained glass mosaic work and glass cutting. During the class, she was given the opportunity to learn how to cut a piece of glass. After listing to the instructor, Susan Watson of Watson and Company Stained Glass, she gave it a go. She successfully cut the glass on the first try! The instructor then told her she had a natural knack for it. During the class, she completed her door stop with stained glass….she still has that door stop! She loved every minute of the class and wished she could learn more. After speaking with Susan, the instructor, Kristal and her mother were able to get a list of a few items she would need to be able to do some more mosaic glass work on her own.

That new relationship with Susan Watson soon opened the door for Kristal to become an apprentice under her direction. Susan taught her everything she needed to know about how to make stained glass panels, sun catchers, wind chimes, stepping stones, etc. “It was an amazing time for me, I loved being able to work with glass everyday” says Kristal. She worked with Susan for 2 years before moving onto another job. She continued to work with glass on her own as her time allowed.

While working with Susan, Kristal was able to attend some stained glass courses at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts (located in Gatlinburg, TN). She took their youth class in 2000 and 2001 and was able to build on her knowledge of the craft. While attending those classes, Kristal formed a close bond with the teacher Angie Slagle of Clinch Mountain Studios Stained Glass. This new relationship with Angie opened more doors for Kristal to learn and experience new techniques in stained glass.

In 2002, Angie asked Kristal if she would like to assist her in teaching a stained glass class that year at Arrowmont, she was excited for the opportunity. Then, in the summer of 2003, Angie reached out to Kristal again and asked if she would be interested in helping teach another stained glass class. This time, she would be assisting with a summer school class at Webb School in Knoxville, TN. There were two sessions that were each three weeks long and held daily during the week. Kristal jumped at the opportunity to work alongside Angie again. “Helping Angie teach the kids was amazing! It was so much fun and brought me a lot of joy” she said.

Soon after, Kristal Kreations was born. Kirstal’s mom Kathy is the one who came up with the company name. “Kristal Kreations sounded perfect, I just had to use it. I never once thought about another name. That one just stuck.” said Kristal. She and her mom began attending local craft fairs several times a year so she could sell her work. She’s been at it ever since. “I still love it just as much as I did when I first started. In fact, I love it more now because my knowledge has expanded and I can do more things. Working with my glass is therapy to my soul. I’m so thankful that the Lord gave me this talent and the ability to use it. I pray that every piece sold blesses the buyer or recipient!” said Kristal.   

Kristal’s full time job is raising her two boys. She finds time to work on her glass after the boys have gone to bed and often works late into the night.